oak

The obverse bears sprig of three oak leaves; above, ribbon bearing legend PARVA NE PEREANT; around AMERICAN NUMISMATIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY / (acorn) MEMBER'S MEDAL (acorn)

The reverse bears oak wreath around center field. Around, FOUNDED AT NEW YORK MDCCCLVIII / INCORPD MDCCCLXV; signed below wreath, G.H.L.

This is the fourth medal issued by the American Numismatic Society. It was the membership medal that was handed out to most members. Different prices were charged to those who had subscribed to the cost of the dies and those who wanted to purchase the medals afterwards. Subscriber prices were $50 for the medal in gold, $5 for silver and $1.50 for bronze.

The bronze piece shown is engraved to Alfred Rowell. As best as I can tell he practiced law in New York City.

The silver piece shown is engraved to A. J. Drexel Biddle who was the subject of a novel (written by his daughter), which was adapted both as the Broadway play and as a Disney motion picture titled The Happiest Millionaire.

The circular medal measures 42mm in diameter. It was struck in gold, silver and bronze in unknown mintages.

The obverse bears sprig of three oak leaves; above, ribbon bearing legend PARVA NE PEREANT; around AMERICAN NUMISMATIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY / (acorn) MEMBER'S MEDAL (acorn)

The reverse bears oak wreath around center field. Around, FOUNDED AT NEW YORK MDCCCLVIII / INCORPD MDCCCLXV; signed below wreath, G.H.L.

This is the third medal issued by the American Numismatic Society. It was "the first draft" of the membership medal. The reverse die was rejected and a new version was created for the next official medal.

The circular medal measures 42mm in diameter. Only 12 pieces in white metal are known to have been struck.

The obverse bears bust l. of Charles Edward Anthon. Around, CHARLES EDWARD ANTHON, LL.D.; signed below truncation, LEA AHLBORN.

The reverse bears five-line inscription within wreath of oak (left) and laurel (right); ANS seal at center bottom. Around, PRESIDENT AMERICAN NUMISMATIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY 1869 - 1883; in center, BORN IN / NEW YORK CITY / DEC. 6. 1822. / DIED AT BREMEN / JUNE 7. 1883.

This is the 7th medal issued by the American Numismatic Society. Anthon served, with interruptions, as the ANS' President for many between 1867 and his death in 1883. The Society commemorated him with this medal in 1884. While the original subscription was soon filled, subsequent medal sales lingered for many years as both bronze and silver medals were still available for sale thirty years later in 1915. Members appreciated the medal's artistry and quality but they were not impressed by the likeness.

The medal measures 68mm in diameter and was struck by the Royal Swedish Mint in bronze and silver. A total of 15 silver and 85 bronze pieces were produced in 1884.

The obverse bears the seal of the American Numismatic Society.

The reverse bears an inscription: MDCCCLVIII / · APRIL · VI · / MCMVIII

This is the 19th medal issued by the American Numismatic Society.

The circular medal measures 25mm in diameter and was struck by Tiffany & Company. The reported mintage for this medal is 1 piece in gold, 25 in silver, and 100 in bronze. The silver pieces were suspended from a clasp whereas the bronze pieces were just the medal.

The obverse bears kneeling nude woman, left, holding a medal in her left hand and a sculptor's tool in her right; tree to her right with branch extending over her. Around, PARVA · NE · PEREANT; in exergue, AN (oak leaves) S; signed at lower right, FE (AAW monogram) CIT

The reverse bears Pegasus in central medallion, sun and clouds in background; Above, · THE · J · SANFORD · SALTUS · / AWARD MEDAL; below, · OF · THE · AMERICAN · / · NUMISMATIC · SOCIETY · ; around central field, FOR · SIGNAL · ACHIEVEMENT / IN · THE · ART · OF · THE · MEDAL

This medal was the 38th official issue of the American Numismatic Society and it was designed as an award medal.  The ANS has awarded it annually since 1919 "for Outstanding Achievement in the Art of the Medal."

The particular medal shown here was awarded to Bruno Mankowski in 1960.  You can find more information on the J. Sanford Saltus Award here.

The circular medal measures 78mm in diameter and was cast by Tiffany & Company and struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The mintage in silver and bronze is not known.